It is the children who tug at my heart. Children at the border, crowded together on mats in a huge room. Children, bloodied, with stunned faces in Gaza. Children caught in the madness of situations they didn't create, just wanting to be with their mom and dad, just wanting to be safe. Sometimes if feels so overwhelming.

Al- Dula Home - A child stands amid the rubble of the destroyed Al Dalu family home, Gaza City December 3, 2012. Ten members of the Al Dalu family were killed, as well as two neighbors, by an Israeli air strike on their three-story home on November 18, 2012. Four of those killed were children, and four were women.

This Thursday, July 24, join AFSC and more than 50 other groups in protesting the ongoing attack on Gaza by writing to your government representatives and President Obama, organizing community actions, or otherwise making your voice heard.

Gaza Writes Back, edited by Refaat Alareer, is a compelling collection of short stories from fifteen young writers in Gaza, members of a generation that has suffered immensely under Israel's siege and blockade. In this video, some of the authors discuss the book.

One of the strongest winter storms in decades hit the occupied Palestinian territory in December. The storm brought new hardship to an already exhausted population in the Gaza Strip and exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis caused by the seven year long Israeli blockade of Gaza.

Palestinians hold a Catholic mass as a weekly nonviolent witness against the Israeli separation wall in the West Bank village of Beit Jala, September 7, 2012. If completed as planned, the wall would cut off the Cremisan monastery from the Beit Jala community, blocking access to one of the Bethlehem area's last remaining green spaces, and a source of employment for area residents.

Two women stop to talk while walking through a long encaged walkway at the entrance to the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Control of Palestinian movement has been a feature of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory since its inception in 1967. However, over the last 14 years the draconian system of movement controls used by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory has become increasingly institutionalized and restrictive. The permit system put in place in the early 1990s which requires that all Palestinians obtain military issued permits to move between the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem or to travel abroad is now complemented by a permanent system of roadblocks, gates, checkpoin

This delegation will explore current realities of life for Israelis and Palestinians, including settlements, the occupation, and the peace process—by learning directly from those living there. We will also explore issues relevant to young people in the region, including efforts to educate and empower future generations working towards a just resolution to the conflict. Our itinerary will feature meetings with leaders of civil society groups, grassroots organizers, Palestinian and Israeli youth, religious leaders and more.

TRAVEL TO PALESTINE/ISRAEL WITH INTERFAITH PEACE-BUILDERS AND AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEEThis delegation will explore current realities of life for Israelis and Palestinians, including settlements, the occupation, and the peaceprocess—by learning directly from those living there. We will also explore issues relevant to young people in the region, includingefforts to educate and empower future generations working towards a just resolution to the conflict. Our itinerary will feature meetings

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has offices around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.